HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet said Thursday his career was over, one month after sustaining a season-ending concussion.

Chrebet spent 11 seasons with his hometown team after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, but was plagued with head injuries the last few seasons. Though he was undersized at 5-foot-10, he quickly became a clutch possession receiver, working his way up the team record charts.

He ends his career with 580 receptions, second to Don Maynard's 627 on the team list. Chrebet made his first appearance at the Jets' facility Thursday since he was hurt Nov. 6 against San Diego. His impromptu comments confirmed the expected.

"I'm not going to get back on the field. I think everybody's aware of that," Chrebet said. "But I'm just thankful and want to let the right people know I appreciate everything they've done for me."

On the play in which he got hurt, Chrebet was making a third-down catch for a first down, symbolic of the type of plays he made throughout his career. He stayed down on the field for several minutes, with a scary, glazed look in his eyes.

It was the latest in a series of problems for Chrebet. He had a post-traumatic migraine early in the 2003 season and missed the final eight games that season with postconcussion syndrome. He considered retiring, but instead came back last season. Chrebet played in all 16 games, but sustained a mild concussion in the regular-season finale against St. Louis.

"It's just a weird thing you don't want to accept," Chrebet said. "I've had a lot of time at home with my kids and that's been great. It's something I've always looked forward to. The rest is dealing with not having this in my life anymore."

Because of all he had to endure this season, teammates selected him as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.

Chrebet said he will wait until the season ends before filing his retirement papers with the NFL.

"I'll hold on -- I don't want to see somebody wearing 80 in green and white that fast," he joked.

Updated on Thursday, Dec 22, 2005 12:49 pm

Fifteen years ago after an especially disappointing loss to Miami, Esiason, then the Jets' quarterback, was making the seven-mile drive from the Meadowlands back to Manhattan.
While he was slogging through stop-and-go traffic at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, the car next to him was violently rear-ended. The quarterback threw his car into park, hopped out and ran to the woman whose car had been hit. She was wearing, of all things, an Esiason jersey, and was utterly shocked when he tapped on her window to check on her.
"Are you OK?" he said, trying to keep calm. "Are you OK?"
"Boomer? Is that you?" she asked the Good Samaritan, sounding disoriented. "I think I'm OK, but . ... "
But what?
"But you guys sucked."
Welcome to the New York Jets, Tim Tebow.

One of the men who made we love the Jets is gone. Wayne, we love you, we salute you and bow to you. Come back as a coach, and we enjoyed every play, every 580 catches, even one of those 7,365 yards, all of those 43 TDs, and of course, all the effort you gave, and all the memories you gave. And all those autographs you signed, all the waves and high fives will never be forgotten, we loved all of it, all those things, 80 times more than anything else.We love you Wayne!!!!!!!!!

"You ask, what is our aim?... It is victory, victory at all cost" Winston Churchill.
Member since March 25, 2005.

i was going to quote the same snippet. Chrebet's jersey should be retired long before anyone things of donning the number again.

While Chrebet is was always reliable and always a solid player, he wasn't greatness. Numbers should be retired only for players who were "greatness" like Curtis Martin. If we start retiring numbers for sentimental reasons, it will mean nothing to the players who were truly great.

While Chrebet is was always reliable and always a solid player, he wasn't greatness. Numbers should be retired only for players who were "greatness" like Curtis Martin. If we start retiring numbers for sentimental reasons, it will mean nothing to the players who were truly great.

Numbers my ass.

He was a great Jet, and he does deserve his number to be retired, and if you do nto believe that you need a smack in the face.

Chrebet doesn't deserve his number retired. He was a good player who overachieved his whole career but just because he was a little white wide receiver who the fans loved doesn't mean his number should be retired. He had a nice career and will go down as one of the fans' favorite Jets of all time but you don't retire pretty good player's jersey you retired the great ones.

While Chrebet is was always reliable and always a solid player, he wasn't greatness. Numbers should be retired only for players who were "greatness" like Curtis Martin. If we start retiring numbers for sentimental reasons, it will mean nothing to the players who were truly great.

Whats #'s got to do with retiring somone??? theres a reason why Wayne is the most loved Jet ever to play for gain green

He did not set Jet records like Curtis or Joe Namath but he was the best cluch 3rd down WR in the history of the NFL and he was only 5'9 180 pounds. Never in my life even in Real life or tv seen a WR that took shot after show in the head or body and still ended up catching it and still get up and pump his fist on his chest and take it like a Man... Theres soo much wonderful things i can say about him. He is the reason i'm a Jet fan and one of the people i looked up too when you talk about sports. I cry when i heard this news Wayne is the man and i thank Wayne for the memorys and i thank you for giving me a reason to belive in the Jets and i thank you for everything you tought me about playing with heart * in sports* Me and Bizkit are the two biggest #80 fans and when it comes to facts about me and wayne we'll both know it...

But if you think retiring people because of #'s your dead wrong Jetsohfive stop trying to be a media reporter and be a JET fan not only Jetsohfive but everyone in this site. Its ashame a Jet fan does not think Wayne won't get his # retired because of Wayne there was people in the stands in 96 besides MeShawn. there was a reason of a growing of the Jets fans party because of the changes in coaches and some players were thankful for but before all that Wayne was the Broadway of the Jets the Best player they had on that 96 1-15 team and i'm thankful for being a jet fan

I'm telling who ever is running that Jets office the smartest move you will ever make since signing Namath is to get #80 retired and hire him as a WR's coach because i promise you this guy will make some kind of coach if he wanted too in the furture of some sort

Goodbye #80 your our Dare Devil thanks for the memorys and lessons of how to be a true hearted player. Thats what you taught me..... Cheers Wayne

Chrebet doesn't deserve his number retired. He was a good player who overachieved his whole career but just because he was a little white wide receiver who the fans loved doesn't mean his number should be retired. He had a nice career and will go down as one of the fans' favorite Jets of all time but you don't retire pretty good player's jersey you retired the great ones.

I think fans should have the final decision on players' jerseys to retire and I think Wayne should have his retired.

So what he didnt have the stats, he had a great career for an undrafted player and was clutch when called upon, delivering when neccessary.

I agree with Vilma#51 that he taught the fans how to be a true hearted player - Wayne never played for himself, always for the team. This is shown by the number of concussions and number of times he would go across the middle to catch the ball.

I'll buy one. I just dont like buying jerseys and then the players leave like i think Abe will which is why i wont buy his new snazzy #56. I dont own a Curtis jersey either..i plan to get on of his also. I hope Chrebet does come back to the Jets in some fashion and is involved. He'll always be apreciated by me! Best of luck to him.